Less is more for Romney in Iowa

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Mitt Romney’s path to victory in Iowa has never been clearer.

Potentially formidable rivals in the first-in-the-nation caucus state — such as Tim Pawlenty and Rick Perry – have stumbled badly or dropped out of the race. A handful of social conservative opponents are dividing up the voting bloc that powered Mike Huckabee’s campaign four years ago.

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And while Romney hasn’t built the battleship-sized caucus organization he had in 2008, none of his GOP challengers has, either.

It’s as if the less Romney does in Iowa, the more inviting the state becomes.

“The opportunity’s still there [for Romney] because, frankly, nobody’s got a ground game,” said former Iowa House Speaker Christopher Rants, who supported Romney in 2008.

“I can’t figure out what they’re up to, because they have had a window,” Rants said of Romney’s campaign. “They could have come in three weeks ago and just knocked Perry out in Iowa. They chose not to.”

Tim Albrecht, a veteran of Romney’s last White House run who now serves as communications director for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, suggested Romney would benefit from an influx of new, economically-minded caucus-goers, as well as the disorganization of the GOP field.

“Anyone above and beyond the 118,000 who turned out last time will be looking for someone focused on fixing the economy and creating jobs. Mitt Romney will appeal to the new caucus-goers,” Albrecht said.

He continued: “It is amazing that we’re looking at November, and no campaign has announced a 99-county structure. When you organize for the caucus, announcing 99 county chairs is the first thing you check off on the list. This shows a caucus in flux.”

Even as the Iowa campaign has seemed to turn his way, Romney has continued to tread lightly here. His visit Thursday marked only his third trip to the state this year and his first since August. Romney has just five people on his Iowa payroll: His senior strategist, state director and three field staffers, along with unpaid volunteers. He hasn’t spent a dime on television or radio.

Iowa has noticed.

Asked at a Sioux City town hall meeting whether he planned to plant a flag more firmly in the state now that the caucuses are less than three months away, Romney answered carefully.

“I’d love to win Iowa. Any of us would,” he said. “You have an enormous say in who the next president’s gonna be.”

Romney’s message in Iowa was much the same message he’s delivered everywhere, focusing overwhelmingly on his business background and ideas for reviving the U.S. economy.

At several stops Thursday, Romney almost seemed to go out of his way to signal that he wasn’t trying to cater to local sympathies. At his town hall event, Romney rejected the idea of a national consumption tax – known to supporters as the “Fair Tax” – beloved by a population of activists who supported Huckabee in 2008.

He declared in staunchly conservative western Iowa that he didn’t favor a constitutional amendment banning abortion and wanted to “let the states create their own legislation with regard to life.” At a meeting with business leaders in Treynor, he repeatedly said he does not favor reviving subsidies for the ethanol industry that are scheduled to expire.

Romney has reason enough to avoid a big bet on Iowa. There is the unpleasant memory of 2008, when he finished a distant second to Huckabee despite committing significant resources to the state. He’s also so strong in other early presidential states – New Hampshire and Nevada – that he doesn’t necessarily have to win Iowa in order to be the GOP nominee. Trying too hard here and losing a second time could be embarrassing.

Readers' Comments (20)

Well a brand new poll out of Iowa shows that Romney does have a shot at Iowa:

"A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Iowa caucus-goers shows that Cain is in front with 28% followed by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney at 21%. Congressman Ron Paul is a distant third at 10% followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 9%, Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann at 8%, and Texas Governor Rick Perry at 7%.

The sixth place finish for Perry is a sharp decline from early September when Perry was the frontrunner both nationally and in Iowa. "

Romney seems to have a "floor" in Iowa somewhere between 20% and 25% which is impressive since he hasn't campaigned there much.

Rick Perry, who we all know now is really a liberal Al Gore Democrat, when you actually look at what he "does" has plunged to only 7% in Evangelical Iowa.......................wow.

Romney is going to campaign in Iowa and keep his eye on how the polls move over the next 6-8 weeks and then determine if he should deploy massive forces to get Iowians out on January 3rd.

If Romney takes Iowa and then New Hampshire its all over..........

Our broken Free Press wants a long drawn out Republican primary go their going to inject their chaos into the 2012 election, like they did in 2008.

Romney is sitting good right now the American people have started to move towards him he now appears to have a "floor" in the National polls of 25%. Only three national polls have been released since Christie endorsed Romney and in all three Romney's above his 25% Floor. The last poll, an Associated Press poll has Romney in the lead with 30% of the vote Cain comes in second with 26% and Al Gore's Texas Chairman Slick Rick comes in a distant 3rd at 13%....

Only Romney can unite the United States of America which today is the Divided States of America. But we have radical Ideologues on the Left and the Right that are doing everything they can to block this smart respected solid center-right Fiscal Conservative.

Will the American people get the leader they need in 2012? I hope so..................TGIF

I think it's pretty sad that anyone's supporting mitt here, let alone eager to do it. Here is someone who has literally taken every side of every issue, how does someone actually get excited to support such a raw opportunist? That's pathetic. Romney has flip flopped more than John Kerry, he has supported gun control, abortion, amnesty, even ran to the left of ted kennedy before, he supported TARP, took a bailout for himself, before being against bailouts for detriot. Here is a guy who's business experience is based off a company he saved with a federal bail out, someone who raised taxes in tiny mass half a billion dollars, and was third worst in the nation in job creation. Romney is a TARP supporting big government Keynesian of the same cut as obama. Our country is truly screwed if our choice is between two Keynesian.

Rick Perry is not a Keynesian, this is someone who has balanced six budgets in a row, while cutting taxes, and bringing Texas debt down to the second lowest per capita rate in the entire nation. Perry is a small government strong fiscal Conservative, whose signed historic tax relief, reduced regulations, even passed loser pays tort reform. Over a million good paying jobs have been created in Texas under Perry, by far that makes him number one in job creation, and accounts for over 40% of the jobs created in the obama economy. Texas was ran so well, it got a credit rating upgrade, unlike the US.

So while Obama has lost several million jobs, Perry created over a million. While Obama got the US's credit rating downgraded, Perry got Texas credit rating upgraded, coupled with the fact Perry created over 40% of the jobs in this economy, he has without a doubt the best record to go up against Obama.

"I was an independent during Reagan Bush, I'm not trying to return to Reagan Bush"

Which Romney position on Abortion does Mitt romney have today? This video shows Romney on both sides on the abortion issue, the second video shows Romney explaining and defending how minors can get abortions without parental consent

Which Mitt Romney will we get, the gun control supporting mitt, or the pro second amendment mitt?

Here is a nice summery of Romney's liberal positions, from gun control, to affirmative action, to gay rights, to climate change, to abortion, to timetables for withdrawl from Iraq, to TARP literally any issue of the past 30 years watch as Romney takes both sides of each issue.

But we have radical Ideologues on the Left and the Right that are doing everything they can to block this smart respected solid center-right Fiscal Conservative.

Are you talking about Romney, political chameleon and king of the flip-floppers? You don't mean "center-right"; you mean radical-right, right, center-right, center, center-left, left, radical-left Romney, don't you?

Mitt is running in Iowa; he wouldn't dare diss the Iowans and thus make the same huge mistake Giuliani did. Romney will probably not go overboard ($28 million), as he did last time. But he'll run hard on less money, better organization and a more behind-the-scenes approach. And he should run in Iowa; if there is one good thing about a hated nomination battle, it is an opportunity for the man who has been running for the Republican nomination for five years to spend a lot of time wooing every state's voters. It's the one edge he has over President Obama, who has a time-consuming fulltime job, unlike Romney, and can't campaign fulltime. I doubt Romney wins Iowa -- his religious millstone weighs him down and he doesn't do "hands-on" well -- but he should do well enough to become the established front-runner after New Hampshire. (But then comes South Carolina! And what about that big load of Southern states on Super Tuesday? This race is far from over.)

But then comes South Carolina! And what about that big load of Southern states on Super Tuesday? This race is far from over.)

lol............ah the Southern States.......................well that's looking more and more like Romney country too:

Mitt Romney has announced more endorsements from the picturesque state of Alabama:

Boston, MA “I’m honored to receive the support of these distinguished leaders from Alabama,” said Mitt Romney. “We will work together to reduce government spending, ease the regulatory burdens that are stifling small businesses and create jobs. President Obama has failed and it’s time to turn around this economy.”

Announcing his support, State Senator Cam Ward said, “Mitt Romney is the candidate with the vision our country needs. As Governor, he balanced the budget without raising taxes and created jobs. I am confident that, as president, he will be able to get our country moving forward and put Americans back to work.”

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Mitt Romney’s path to victory in Iowa has never been clearer

Romney in Iowa: “I Will Be Here Again And Again”

October 20th, 2011 4:11 pm Author: Jayde Wyatt 2 comments

Before you do anything else, please VOTE for Mitt at Bill O’Reilly’s Fox website.

It’s the Hawkeye State for Mitt today!

Today, Governor Romney began his full schedule in Iowa by kicking things off with a town hall meeting at Morningside College in Sioux City. He spoke to approximately 200 people, including the 50 or so lined the walls of the Olsen Student Center after the chairs filled up:

And at a town hall meeting on the campus of Morningside College in Sioux City, the former Massachusetts governor was pressed on his commitment to the leadoff caucus state.

A questioner said he was disappointed with the “vitriol” and “hyperbole” from the other GOP candidates and pointedly asked Romney: “Are you here in Iowa today, and is your campaign here in Iowa today to finally give the people of Iowa an alternative to that?”

“Yes,” Romney responded.

“I want to get the support of Iowans,” he added. “I am in Iowa, this not my first trip to Iowa as you know. And I will be here again and again.”

Romney is at or near the top of polls in Iowa despite only making two trips to the state this year. That’s a departure from his 2008 campaign, when he staked his candidacy on a win here.

“I would love to win in Iowa, any of us would,” Romney said. “So I will campaign here. I intend to campaign in all the early states at least, maybe all the states at some point.”

To view video of Romney’s townhall meeting, click here. or here

Romney is also hosting a lunchtime roundtable meeting at Treynor State Bank in Treynor and later this afternoon, The Gov will hold a meet-and-greet at the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce in Council Bluffs.

Iowa! Good to hear The Gov is there… and then he’s on to the Cornhusker State.

He will attend another fundraiser this evening from 5:00-7:00 at the Embassy Suites Downtown in Omaha, Nebraska. It will be hosted by Governor Dave Heineman, Bruce Lauritzen and Hal Daub. Gov Heineman, recently selected to be Chairman of the National Governors Association, endorsed Romney back in June:

“I believe he [Romney] was a good governor, a good Republican governor in a very Democrat state, which is very different than being a Republican governor in a Republican state or a Democrat governor in a Democrat state.”

A good Republican governor, thanks for the laugh. Raised taxes in tiny Mass. half a billion dollars, and like the tax and spend liberal Obama, was very poor in job creation, third worst in the nation in fact.

yeah right............lol...............That's why the very liberal/progressive Robert Bork endorsed Romney in August and co-chairs Romney's Judical Advisory Committe, right Popham ?.............meaningless "labels" very sad indeed.

The news today from hard-working Mitt Romney and his campaign keeps rolling in and it’s…

BIG.

Governor Romney has assembled a 63 member advisory team, including illustrious co-chair Robert Bork, to counsel him on a variety of issues. The formation of this stellar new team further underscores Romney’s deep commitment to the rule of law and constitutional governance:

WashingtonPost.com

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Tuesday announced a team of 63 lawyers, co-chaired by conservative legal scholar Robert Bork, that will advise his campaign on constitutional and judicial matters, law enforcement and homeland security, and regulatory issues.

In addition to Bork, a conservative icon whose nomination by President Ronald Reagan to the Supreme Court failed in the Senate, Romney’s Justice Advisory Committee will be chaired by Harvard Law School professor Mary Ann Glendon, who served as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican in President George W. Bush’s administration, and Richard Wiley, a former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, is a graduate of Harvard Law School. The choice of chairs and committee members seems designed to solidify his credentials within the conservative legal establishment.

“Mitt Romney deeply understands that the rule of law and the integrity of our courts are essential components of our nation’s strength and must be preserved,” the three chairmen said in a joint statement. “He will nominate judges who faithfully adhere to the Constitution’s text, structure, and history and he will carry out the duties of President as a zealous defender of the Constitution. We fully support Mitt Romney’s campaign and look forward to working with other members of the committee as we advise him on today’s pressing legal issues.”

When Governor Romney left office in far left Massachusetts the unemployment rate was 4.7%.

After 10 years of Rick Perry, Red State Texas' unemployment is the highest in decades at 8.5%. 27 other states, including liberal New York, Massachusetts, Maryland & Pennsylvania have lower unemployment stats.

"If he wins Iowa, it's over. If he comes second or even a strong third propelled into New Hampshire, I think he's headed. He's not going to go all in, however because otherwise he risks too much," Charles Krauthammer said on FOX News' "Special Report."

Latest poll taken Wednesday in IOWA - AFTER Tuesday's debate - may explain Romney rushing to the state to do damage control. Appears that the squabbling between Mitt and Rick at the debate took a toll on both of them - with Herman Cain surging.

Rasmussen poll of 800 likely IOWA GOP voters taken Wed., Oct 19 -

CAIN - 28%

ROMNEY - 21%

PAUL - 10%

GINGRICH - 9%

BACHMANN - 8%

PERRY - 7%

SANTORUM - 4%

Romney fell, Perry almost disappeared, and the "Cain Train" chugged along surging into a comfortable first place lead.

Yes, America and the whole world are better off as Obama reaches 1000 days. All world bullies are dead: Bin Laden, the Yemen guy, Ghadafi. Obama also encouraged Egyptians to embrace democracy. We can now feel fresh air in the sky. Gas prices are also getting to $3.00 a gallon. I am glad FoxNews, Rush, Republican Party and TEA Party have selected Herman Cain as their GOP nominee. Let's give Obama another 4 years.

Problem with Perception, polls are fluid. October 2007 Giuliani and Thompson were in the lead, McCain out of money and polling around 10%. Alot can happen. Up one week down another. Fact is, if polling trends is all we look at right now as gospel, the anti-Romney has been holding steady at an average of 25% for years. Perry came in, ecstatic voters came in droves. But he hadn't been properly vetted by the other candidates and the media, the debates didn't help define his positions in 30-60 seconds. Some conservatives offended so they turn to Cain. Cains abortion gaffe & consistency in misspeaking or not understanding the questions are going to sink in with voters. When it comes time to coalesce where are those Cain voters & the other 1% candidates votes going to go? Think Mitt Romney?

Rick Perry is not a Keynesian, this is someone who has balanced six budgets in a row

The only reason Rick Perry has balanced the budget is because he HAS to. It is in a requirement of the Texas Constitution. I doubt he would have done that if he did not have to. He has exploded the Texas budget.

Rick Perry has crated jobs and most of them went to illegal immigrants The All AMERICAN kids fight to make it through college while illegals get breaks in Rick Perrys' state of Texas..Have you ever lived in Texas ??? Well maybe you should ask people there about him and his record...If he has created so many new jobs Why has unemployment in Texas gone up under his watch.??? His wife ( gotta love her she really is helping his campaign ...lol)is accusing Obama for her son losing his job >>>> when in fact he QUIT his job to help run his fathers campaign..Of course he is a millionaire who will get paid generously for helping his father...so he isn't losing anything ..it is not like he was fired or laid off like so many Americans ..